Cazza to build world's first 3D printed skyscraper

Cazza is designing the world's first 3D printed skyscraper. A rendering by Aleksandar Grusanovic.

Dubai-based construction technologies firm, Cazza, has announced plans to build the world’s first 3D printed skyscraper.

The firm will be able to 3D print high rises using a new construction technique called ‘crane printing’.

Cazza will use cranes with added units that are specifically created for building 3D printed structures 80m and above.

CEO of Cazza, Chris Kelsey, said: “When we first thought of implementing 3D printing technologies, we were mostly thinking of houses and low-rise buildings.

“Developers kept asking us if it was possible to build a 3D printed skyscraper. This led us to begin researching how we could adapt the technologies for taller structures.

“Through our technologies, we will be able to build architecturally complex buildings at never-before seen speeds. It is all about economies of scale where the initial high technology costs will reduce as we enter the mass-production phase," he added.

Xavier Hernand, mechanical engineer at Cazza, said: “The material side leaves vast possibilities with concrete and steel being just one of many materials that can be used with 3D printing."

Cazza’s crane printing process includes all major structural components required for tall buildings, including reinforcement with steel rebar.

The cranes will 3D print specific parts of buildings, with the rest of construction undertaken through existing methods.

Fernando De Los Rios, chief operating officer at Cazza, added: “The crane printing system can be easily adopted with existing cranes which means we don’t have to build cranes from scratch.

“We are adding new features to make it adaptable to high wind speeds along with the use of our layer smoothing system that creates completely flat surfaces. You won’t know its 3D printed.”

Cazza is known for producing a 3D printing construction system that combines the use of mobile 3D printing robots with existing construction methods to make construction processes faster, more cost-effective, and environmentally friendly.

Kelsey told Construction Week Online that the first 3D printed high rise will be constructed in the UAE, although the height of the structure and commencement of work were not revealed.

Cazza has already received numerous buyout and investment offers from global companies.

They recently received a $38.6m (AED142m) buyout offer from an undisclosed Saudi developer. Cazza says they are likely not to sell anytime soon but would be open to investments from the right partners.

“We believe in and admire HH Sheikh’s Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s 10X vision and shall do everything we can to bring further world-changing innovation. We came here to change the world, and
that’s exactly what we’re doing,” said Kelsey.